OVER 300 PENANG STUDENTS IN JORDAN, EGYPT SAFE AMID WEST ASIA TENSIONS

GEORGE TOWN, March 10 (Bernama) -- More than 300 students from Penang pursuing their studies in Jordan and Egypt are reported to be safe following rising tensions in West Asia.

Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid said the state government is closely monitoring the situation involving students from the state in both countries.

He said the latest update from Malaysia’s Ambassador to Jordan Datuk Mohamad Nasri Abdul Rahman confirmed that all Malaysian students there, including those from Penang, are safe.

“The Malaysian Embassy remains in contact with student representatives to ensure their welfare is safeguarded during this sensitive period in the region,” he told reporters after the Agihan Zakat Nur Ramadan 1447H programme at Masjid Al Mustaqhfirin in Bayan Lepas near here tonight.

Mohamad said there are currently about 100 Penang students in Jordan residing in several major cities including Amman, Irbid and Mu’tah, and they have been advised to remain at their residences and only travel to campus for lectures.

Meanwhile, about 200 Penang students are pursuing their studies in Egypt, where the situation has not been affected by the regional tensions.

Commenting on the possibility of bringing the students home if the situation worsens, Mohamad said the matter would depend on decisions by the Foreign Ministry and updates from the Malaysian Embassy in Jordan.

Tensions in West Asia have escalated since Feb 28 following attacks by Israel and the United States on Iran, which were followed by Tehran’s retaliatory strikes against US interests in Gulf countries.

-- BERNAMA